Opinions expressed by any writer appearing in this publication are not necessarily those of the staff, management, advertisers, organizations or persons appearing
in this magazine. No Part of this publication may be reproduced by any means: electronic, mechanical, photocopy recording or otherwise without written
permission from the publisher. The mention, appearance or likeness of any person, business, organization, or event in this publication is in no way to be taken
as any identification of the sexual, social or political orientation of such persons, businesses, events organizations, staff, shareholders or owners of such. DAVID
ATLANTA MAGAZINE is not responsible for claims made by advertisers, errors or changes in information, events and schedules in ads, features or calendars. DAVID
ATLANTA MAGAZINE reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement submitted. All copy, text, graphics, photo's and illustrations in submitted ads are
published with the understanding that the person and business’ submitting such are fully authorized and have secured proper consent for the use of images,
graphics, pictures, names, logos and testimonials used in such ads and that DAVID ATLANTA MAGAZINE may lawfully publish the same. By submitting such
materials, the advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold blameless DAVID ATLANTA MAGAZINE from any liability resulting from the publication of any such
materials or images.

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13 davidatlanta

essentially major by Michael Jeffrey

Love Thy
Neighbor

Something’s in life are sacred. High on
that list for me are the conveniences that
metropolitan city living provides; namely a
less than a half mile proximity to a clean
& preferably cruisy gym, the ever essential
Starbucks coffeehouse, and a reputable
premium quality grocery store.
Oddly enough, these are also the same
places I find myself claiming sole ownership
of. My sense of entitlement frequently slips
out in the form of an “Oh really? You got to
my gym?” or a “Hey! What are you doing
in my grocery store?” You’d swear Publix
had devoted a staff of seventy to cater to my
every need just for loitering in the four or
five aisles I frequent each day.
The only problem with dedicating public
property to yourself is that you’re often
disappointed when it’s overridden by
intruders (more commonly referred to
as the neighbors next door). There is
always this tense emotion of spitefulness
that sets in just as one beats you to a good
parking spot or breezes away while you
wait anxiously at the end of a never-ending
checkout line.
Still, every cloud does have its silver lining.
Pick the right neighborhood and you could
potentially land yourself in a goldmine.
This I delightfully discovered once I moved
to Midtown. Instead of jostling with soccer
moms and their bratty tribes, my turfs wars
are now battled out exclusively amongst
the gays. And unless you’ve snagged a
winner when all you came for was coffee
creamer and Q-tips, don’t knock picking
up a date along with your groceries until
you’ve tried.
“Never shit where you eat!” is what I can
always count on Chase to remind me. Her
boundaries around comingling on common
territory have always been about as strict
as the Geneva Convention. I’d receive her
advice wholeheartedly if it weren’t for the
fact that she slipped up once and made
out with her boss on the job. They’re now
happily married and house hunting for
a child ready home in Atlantic Station, so
her ability to campaign for this particular
dating regulation is shaky at best.
14 davidatlanta

Or so I thought, until one steamy summer
afternoon I got a craving for Dole Strawberry
popsicles and rushed to my frozen food
aisle for relief. There - sandwiched in
between the tubs of ice cream and wine
coolers - I found a man who made frozen
fruit juice on a stick seems as refreshing
as mud flavored water. I promptly put my
powers of persuasion to use and toted him
home with me instead; no paper or plastic
necessary.
By the time all was said and done, the
afternoon had slipped into the evening and
my surprise guest had caused my earlier
cravings to quadruple in intensity. “So how
about we go and get something to eat?” he
recommended. I eagerly accepted, thrilled
at that fact that I’d still be getting the
original satisfaction I sought from grocery
store in the first place.
Its funny how sex with a stranger
can be so fulfilling, yet a dinner table
conversation with the same person can
be as exhilarating as and IRS audit. For
an hour I listened to him chatter about
absolutely nothing, attempting to latch on
to even the vaguest topic that might spark
some sort of conversation I’d find bearable.
Unfortunately the only relief arrived when
the waiter finally delivered us the check.
Afterwards, I offered to drop him off at his
place so that at least his last memory of
me would be as that of a gentleman. He
smiled at the offer and began to give me
directions, until soon I found myself parked
directly in front of my own home.
“You live in my building?” I blurted out.
“Why didn’t you tell me that before?”
“Well, you never really asked. See you on
the elevator neighbor,” he said slyly before
kissing me on the cheek and hopping out
of the car.
And it was right then I accepted that as
much as I hated it to be true, Chase was
right. Shitting where you eat is never a
good idea, unless, of course, you’re fucking
the boss.

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Opening
New Doors
“The doors we open and close each day
decide the lives we live.” As we present to
you the 600th issue of David, this statement,
made famous by Flora Whittemore,
couldn’t be more true, and we couldn’t be
more excited.
First, let me say congratulations to David
Valentine. A door has opened for him as the
new editor of Southern Voice. David and I
have worked tirelessly together for the past
several months, despite many challenges.
He is a hard worker and will do a great job.
A door has opened for me as well. I was
asked by the publisher to be the new editor
of David. Without any hesitation, I gladly
take on this new responsibility and pledge
to readers to do my best to keep what is
good and improve what needs work. I know
it won’t be easy following the footsteps of
people like Mike Fleming, whose legacy
won’t be forgotten. I’d love to hear from

you along the way. Let me know what you
like, what you’d like to see more or less of,
and what we can do to be your number one
LGBT entertainment magazine in Atlanta.
A quick note, as most readers in Atlanta
know, David and Southern Voice were nonexistent a few months ago after the parent
company went bankrupt. To make a long
story short, David and Sovo are back thanks
to Matt Neumann, our new publisher, who
cares a great deal about this profession and
the LGBT community.
Joseph Campbell said, “When you follow
your bliss... doors will open where you
would not have thought there would be
doors; and where there wouldn’t be a door
for anyone else.” For myself, Matt, and the
staff at David, we are doing something we
all love to do and providing a service and
entertainment to our readers. Here’s to 600
more issues!

Golden
Summer Party The Fab Chorus
Aurum Lounge will host the Atlanta
Executive Network’s annual summer soiree.
Food will be served and there will be a cash
bar. This is a great social and professional
networking opportunity, so don’t forget to
look your best and bring your business card.
$10, Free for members, 6:30 pm, Aurum
Lounge 108 8th St., www.aen.org

Sassy
Southerners
Julia, Suzanne, Mary Jo, and Charlene

are back in Designing Women Live! The
Process Theater will perform two episodes
from the classic TV sitcom. Proceeds
benefit The Process Theater and Onstage
Atlanta. Through July 17. $20-$23, 8:00 pm,
Onstage Atlanta 2597 North Decatur Rd.,
404.245.4205, www.onstageatlanta.tix.com

26 davidatlanta

‘All You Need Is Love’ and the Atlanta Gay
Men’s Chorus wants to help bring it to you
with a night of music from The Beatles.
See them tonight and found out why they
are recognized as the finest male choral
groups in the world and are running
29 years strong. In addition to tonight’s
performance, there will be two shows
tomorrow. 8:00 pm, $20-$40, Rialto Center
for the Arts 80 Forsyth St., 404.413.9849,
www.agmchorus.org

Boy to Mad Man

Bryan Batt, star of AMC TV’s, Mad Men,
reads from and signs his book, ‘She Ain’t
Heavy, She’s My Mother’. The story is
about a Southern woman who teaches her
son everything he needs to know about
becoming a man. 7:30 pm, Outwrite Books
991 Piedmont Ave., 404.607.0082, www.
outwritebooks.com

Saturday, July 17
Sunday, July 18

Saturday:

‘Fool’ish Shtick

Odd Man Out Theater Company invites
you to enjoy some laughs by poking campy
fun at some great masterpieces on stage.
This Vaudville typed show mixes cabaret,
belly dancing, jugglers, jesters and a little
naughtiness. $20, 8 pm, 7 Stages Theater 1105
Euclid Ave., www.oddmanouttheater.com

Bon Nuit, Mes Amis
Grab your beret and wear your best French
couture tonight at Mary’s for the 6th annual
Bastille Day celebration. Get ready for some
French pop, French disco, and maybe a
little…French kissing. 9 pm, Mary’s 1287
Glenwood Ave., 404.624.4411, www.marysatlanta.com

datebook

Dress light for it’s sure to be packed and
HOT inside and on the dance floor. 10 pm,
Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce de Leon, www.
atlantaeagle.com

Sunday:

Thirsty?

‘Quench’ it Sunday afternoon in the outdoor
courtyard of the Artmore Hotel. This T-dance
will showcase DJ Chris Griswold at the tables.
It’ll be so hot you’ll want to strip down, so
bring your water guns! 3-7 pm, The Artmore
Hotel 1302 West Peachtree, 404.876.6100,
www.artmorehotel.com, www.billkaelin.com

Powell’s landing

Saturday night at the Eagle will never be
the same as DJ Vicki Powell will make
her debut tonight at Atlanta’s leather bar.

27 davidatlanta

cover

ISSUES

By Jesse Hancock, Editor

A lot has happened in 600 issues of David.
In fact, a lot has happened in Atlanta
during that time.
The first issue as we know it today
debuted in 1998 and was named after
the famous statue by Michaelangelo. At
that time Atlanta was still adjusting to
its global recognition as host of the 1996
Olympic Games, and people were flocking
to Atlanta. Straight people, gay people, all
kinds of people.
While Atlanta was becoming a welcoming
destination for gay people, America had
just found out Matthew Shepard had been
brutally killed for being gay in Laramie,
Wyoming. This tragic event brought
tremendous focus nationwide against
anti-gay violence.
Just a few months later the Georgia
Supreme Court ruled that the state could
no longer arrest people for being gay.
Five years later the Supreme Court made
the same decision in Lawrence vs. Texas.
That was a pretty progressive move for
Georgia, in the heart of the South, to make
in 1998.
Being gay back then clearly wasn’t as
accepted in the mainstream world as
it is today, but it was time for Atlanta,
especially Midtown, to make its mark as
one of the most gay-friendly places in the
world with David Magazine there to help
welcome and guide readers along the way.
As most people who were lived in Atlanta
in 1998 will tell you, the club scene was
28 davidatlanta

very different. Locals and out-of-towners
went to circuit parties, including he
famous Hotlanta River Expo, a weekend
of partying and white water rafting on the
Chattahoochee.
People came from all
across the U.S., Canada, all over the world
until outside competitors started creating
other parties.
And there was Backstreet, the mother
of all private clubs. Because the laws
were different back then, clubs were not
required to close at 3 am, so people could
stay out at Backstreet till sunup. And they
did. They came to see Charlie Brown’s
Cabaret.
They came to see Raven,
Shawnna Brooks, Heather Daniels, Lily
White, who were all featured on HBO in
a documentary: They came to see the hot
boys. They came to dance the night away.
They came for the drugs, alcohol and
free spirited nights. They came until the
neighbors had enough.
When city officials and straight Midtown
residents began protesting and targeting
24-hour private clubs like Backstreet
and Blu, it wasn’t long before laws were
changed, police raids became more
prominent, and the crowds started to
disperse. In July 2004 Backstreet was
officially closed for good, leaving a huge
void in Atlanta gay nightlife that many
people feel will never be the same.
Since then, only a handful of clubs have
survived. Places like Blakes on the Park
and Burkharts have continued to draw
local and out-of-town crowds, but many

A Look Back at
David Magazine
and Gay Atlanta
bars have come and gone or changed their
name. For example, BJ Roosters used to
be Buddies.
In 2003 the closing time for bars and
nightclubs changed, forcing partiers to
restrain from drinking by a 2:30 curfew.
While this law also affected straight clubs
and partiers, it had a huge impact on gay
nightlife.
Since then bars and nightclubs have done
their best to survive. Another blow was
dealt to the gay community when the
Atlanta Eagle was raided on September
10, 2009. On that night a paramilitary,
SWAT-type force of Atlanta police officers
stormed in without a warrant and forced
patrons to lie face down in beer, dirt and
broken glass. These were patrons who
were not suspected of any criminal activity,
yet they were illegally searched and held
for thirty to ninety minutes. The police
never explained why they were there, and
when patrons asked questions, they were
told to “shut the fuck up.” While the case
is still in litigation, gay Atlanta has felt its
impact.
Anti-gay violence continues, despite the
city appointing Danni Lynn Harris as the
first LGBT liaison to the Atlanta Police
Department during former Mayor Shirley
Franklin’s reign and now Officer Patricia
Powell to work with Harris as the second
liaison. She was appointed recently by
new Mayor Kasim Reed’s administration.
Many people feel their impact on the gay
community has yet to be felt. Time will tell.

On Nov. 16, 2009, David Magazine and
Southern Voice were shut down when
Windows Media, the parent company,
went bankrupt, also forcing its other
gay publications to close across the
country. On Feb. 19, 2010, just a few
months later, Gaydar, Inc., under the
leadership of publisher Matt Neumann,
purchased David and Sovo’s assets and
ceased publication of Gaydar and relaunched David in March 2010. It then
re-launched Sovo in April. Several other
LGBT publications have launched during
this time, including Georgia Voice, SBI,
and Fenuxe, creating what some may call
friendly competition while others describe
as a media war. Nonetheless, all of these
publications have the same simple goal:
to provide a source of entertainment and
information to the LGBT community.
While Atlanta continues to be a goto destination for gays, there is still plenty
of work to be done. The down economy
has impacted the gay community, forcing
some clubs to shut down or change their
game immensely.
Matthew Shepard’s
parents now tour the country speaking on
behalf of their son and urging people, gay
and straight, to be better to each other.
New laws are in the works against antigay discrimination. America waits to see
if the government will repeal ENDA, Don’t
Ask Don’t Tell, and DOMA, allowing gays
to marry legally. David Magazine plans to
be here along the way to inform, guide
and entertain you.
29 davidatlanta

datebook

Monday, July 19
Wednesday, July 21

Monday:

Wednesday:

Atlanta natives, Amy Ray and Emily
Saliers—The Indigo Girls, perform their
third and fourth show in two days tonight.
If you don’t have a ticket, you can still enjoy
the show, dinner & drinks on the outdoor,
enclosed patio via closed circuit TV’s. 7 and
9:30 pm, Eddie’s Attic 515 N. McDonough
St., 404.377.4976, www.eddiesattic.com

Jonathon Lerner, a constitute member
of the Weather Underground, reads from
and signs his novel, ‘Alex Underground’.
The fictional tale is about radical political
views and finding oneself in the 1970’s—
the era of sex, drugs, and revolution. 7:30
pm, Outwrite Books 991 Piedmont Ave.,
404.607.0082, www.outwritebooks.com

David Atlanta sold to Unite Media in
2002, then merged with Window in 2003.
Window and Unite were divisions of
Avalon Partners
Shirley Franklin elected mayor, promises
to be an advocate of the gay community

1996
(Nov.) – 2003 (Oct. 31): Eclipse Magazine
(started as insert in Impact, a New
Orleans newspaper, changed in 1998 to
stand alone in New Orleans Atlanta and
Houston)

1997
(Aug. 17): Southern Voice sold to Window
Media. The actual company name was
Ryan Publications, named after the son of
Chris Cash.

2003
Olympic bombing suspect Eric Robert
Rudolph was arrested and charged in the
1996 Centennial Olympic Park bombing;
1997 bombings at a gay nightclub and
a clinic that performed abortions in the
Atlanta area; and a bombing at a clinic in
Birmingham, Alabama, in 1998.

Mary Edith Pitts
Whether you are a longtime Atlanta resident or a
frequent patron of Burkhart’s you have likely heard of
Mary Edith Pitts. She is the house diva at Burkhart’s
and can be seen center stage entertaining the crowd
with her quick wit and comedic performances.
For Mary Edith, entertaining is not just a job, it’s a
passion. Through her work over the past 20 years
with the Armorettes, Homecoming, or even her most
recent Birthday Benefit, she is a premier fundraiser
for the Atlanta community.
In 2007, after the passing of her best friend Kevin
Early, Pitts began using her birthday as a fundraising
opportunity to help individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
When asked why, she said there were two main
reasons, “…to honor the memories of my best friends
Kevin and Barry and to take what was just another
day for me and turn it into something meaningful.”
“Growing up, my birthdays were never special, and
as an adult, they didn’t have much meaning. When
Kevin passed away shortly before my birthday, I found
an opportunity to step outside of my own grief and
honor the memories of him and Barry,” Pitts added, “I
look forward to my birthday now because it has real
meaning for me… I get to help others.”
“Now, what I ask of everyone is instead of gifts,
flowers, cakes or cards, to please bring me a tax
deductible donation to help individuals living with
HIV/AIDS.”
Pitts’ first Birthday Bash in 2006 she raised $1,700.
In 2007, she set a goal of $5,000, and she ended up
raising $6,600. In 2008, Pitts decided to raise the bar
and collected over $20,000. In 2009 she raised over
$40,000 and this year she has set an ambitious, but
reachable goal of $60,000.
38 davidatlanta

This year she has chosen Jerusalem House and
The Grady Infectious Disease Program as recipient
organizations. When asked why she chose these
particular organizations, she stated they represent
comprehensive healthcare and housing for
individuals living with HIV/AIDS
Regulars to Pitts’ shows know that her quote,
“Stop the show!” has taken on a life of its own. It all
started when a patron standing upstairs threw one
dollar at her while she was hosting between numbers.
Instinctively, and true to her comedic form, she yelled
“Stop the show!” The audience went into hysterical
laughter and cheers and more money was thrown at
her to see her hilarious reaction. Over two years later,
staying true to her fundraising efforts, she has been
saving those dollars along with the monies collected
from the Chattahoochee River Dance and the drinking
of the .22oz… because, “it all adds up.”
Mark your calendars and bring your checkbooks
for a fundraiser filled with laughter and tears. Sunday
July 25th @ 8PM will be a fundraising extravaganza
featuring some of Atlanta’s finest entertainers
including Wild Cherry Sucret, Tina Devore, Alicia
Kelly, Ashley Kruiz, Savannah Leigh, Princess
Charles, Brent Star, Regina Ryan, Destiny Brooks,
Mariah, Anastacia, Shavonna B. Brooks, Trashetta
GaLore and others.
To find out more information about Mary Edith
Pitts’ choice of organizations, please visit them online:
Jerusalem House - www.jerusalemhouse.org
Grady Infectious Disease Program - www.
gradyhealthsystem.org/Specialties/specialties_idp.asp

You’re
feeling
extra
zippy and
ready to
forslow
almost
anything
lately
You need
to do
whatever
it takes
down
this week
— so
even
if that
slamming
the Your
brakes
on some
-get out
theremeans
and shake
things up!
creative
mind
projectit that
lot to you.
Things
should
pickfun.
up
makes
muchmeans
easier toa surmount
obstacles
and
have great
very soon, but progress this week is false.

You have every right to feel superior this week -- but that
Open up
andit’s
take
in another
perspective
— it around
shouldyou
be
doesn’t
mean
a good
idea to flaunt
it! The people
quite
valuable totoyou!
It’s athat
good
time of
foregotism,
you to so
step
are
extra-sensitive
anything
smacks
dialup
it
your efforts
to two.
show a friend or loved one that you are
down
a notch or
totally on their side.

GEMINI

You’ve
or two that
you now,
don’t mind
sharing
-- and
Thingsgot
areanaopinion
little strained
right
but not
so much
those
around
youfigure
shouldit be
to engage
them.
that you
can’t
allready
out. You
do need
to It’s
try aagood
few
time
for long, dynamic
that might
actually
lead somewhere.
experiments
beforetalks
you’re
likely
to know
how to

CANCER

You’ve got more coming at you right now than you expect -- so
get
ready!
A bigare
improvement
is in
the works,
one that
you and
may
Other
people
more than
a little
confused
lately,
know
nothing
about,
and
nowkeep
is themisunderstanding
time for the big unveiling.
that could
mean
that
they
you —
even fun!
when you try to explain yourself! You may want to
Have

LEO

proceed, so use your brain!

let it go until next week.

Your fiery sense of self is provoking you to tackle all kinds
Don’t
off half-cocked
— or
you
need
to
of
new run
challenges
-- at work, inright
your now
love life
pretty
much
absorb theIt’s
situation
fully time
before
you up
canand
really
make
anywhere.
an excellent
to step
ensure
thatany
the
headway.
and double-check. Once you know
world
knowsCheck
your name.
what’s going on, your actions should stick.

VIRGO

Those
closest to
you are
very
right nowif--you
probably
Your energy
just
right
fordemanding
now— especially
have
too
much you
so!isYou’ve
to forward!
step up Little
and make
your
own
big plans
want to got
push
things
should
expectations
clear,
so
that
they
can
take
their
needs
elsewhere
conspire to help you out, so you can expect to meet all
if
they must.
goals.

LIBRA

Your
side isstate
out and
focusdifficult
-- so make
sure thatright
you
Your active
emotional
is ainlittle
to handle
surround
with get
all the
right together
people! It’s
a really
a good
now. Seeyourself
if you can
things
long
enough
to
time
group
activities,
andoryou’ve
got more than
bow for
outbig
of any
big
meetings
appointments.
It’s aenough
good
self-care
that’s for sure!
ideas
to gotime,
around.

SCORPIO

Your social
has definitely
beensome
working
for you
You’re
not energy
an egomaniac
-- though
misinformed
— it’s a might
great think
timesotoright
bury
the
make
spectators
now.
Youhatchet,
know you’re
bestnew
for
contacts
or
even
take
the
first
step
toward
a
new
romanthe task at hand, and you don’t feel the need to spend much time
tic
entanglement.
Why
not?
convincing others.

SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN

This
not aof
good time
to bust
out the
credit
or to
A
wildisabout
stroke
hits you
just
when
you
needyour
itcards
thesavings
most
-forget
theluck
long-term.
If you
can
boost
one
you
could
never
predict,
so
don’t
go
buying
stocks
or
lottery
this month, you are sure to appreciate your foresight in
tickets.
Thisfuture.
could result in a big boost to your work or love life.
the far-off

Try
tofeel
put as
tooifmuch
first impressions
this week
-Younot
may
your stock
good in
energy
has been driving
you
there
areweek’s
liable to
bemoment.
serious errors!
Superficial
appearances
to this
big
It could
be an award
or justare
a
extremely
deceiving,
take the
time
to really
plumb
depths.
hint of praise
from so
exactly
the
right
person,
butthe
now
you
know where to start building.

AQUARIUS
PISCES

You’re feeling a little too settled in your thinking lately -- that
This
is anot
a good
forStill,
struggles
— at
least
notwith
for
is
often
danger
sign week
for you!
you might
want
to roll
you!
to get
friendscataclysm
and colleagues
to back
you
it
for Try
a while,
as your
the ensuing
could have
delightful
up,
but
you
may
just
need
to
hunker
down
and
wait
for
a
consequences!
more auspicious day to fight back.

This is not the best time to offer advice, as it’s seen as unnecessary
A stroke
good you
luckmeet.
is more
seems
to be
—
by
almost of
anyone
Holdthan
on toit your
gems
of wisdom
though
that
doesn’t
mean
you have
tobeget
to the
bottom
for
a
few
more
days,
when
people
should
more
receptive.
of it! You can just enjoy the good energy and give
thanks to those who watch out for you.

60 davidatlanta

61 davidatlanta

advice

Momma Mona
Here we are again and as promised, here’s the scoop as to how I obtained the name Momma Mona. Very
funny story. At least now. Years ago my daughter’s really smartass friend gave me that label after they
unexpectedly came home to visit from college one weekend, and, rather late in the evening I might add.
Oopphhs. Hence, Momma Mo(a)n-a was born. Guess it could have been worse.

Moving along, when I relocated to a condo situation here in Midtown and Wednesday night Wine & Weed
(can I say this?) parties started to just happen in my garden, my much younger neighbor overheard me being
addressed as Momma Mona and started introducing me as such to the many different guests he invited to
join us. I was almost always the only female and certainly the only straight, which heightened my interest in
everyone’s life, particularly their early life when they came to the realization that they were gay. This went on
for several years and now I’m Momma Mona to more people than I can count.
I’ll share more about these wonderful experiences and topics as we go along and as word count allows.
Today’s question and advice was a very popular topic that came up time and time again. Enjoy and let me
know what you think!

Dear Momma Mona,
My life partner of 3 years has still to introduce me to
his parents and 3 brothers because they do not approve
of his “lifestyle” yet he still attends the once a year big
family weekend gathering. By age 32, I think he should
be more forthright and let things fall where they may.
Am I right?
~Forthright in ATL
Dear Forthright,
There’s more than being forthright going on here.
First, I would like to take the “right” and “should”
out of the equation. If there’s a right going on, then
there’s a wrong going on, too. Relationships become
a little shaky when one partner claims to be in the
right, so let’s get back on even ground. The use of the
word “should” is just another divisional right-wrong
argument, so let’s drop that one, too.
What you are really saying is that you would like to
be in your partner’s birth family sphere and he has not
invited you there for whatever reason. You may even
feel a little slighted by not having your partner status
acknowledged by his birth family. While it appears
that you entered this relationship knowing about and
possibly accepting this situation, it is now becoming
problematic for you. Why and why now?
I must point out that this seems to be a popular
issue for many gay couples. Over the years, Momma
Mona has heard many stories about how parents and/
or siblings are the last to know about an individual’s
sexual orientation and lifestyle, or the elephant in the
middle of the room is simply not acknowledged and
talked about. Sadly, many birth family bonds are

severed because of non-acceptance, or greatly stretched
emotionally. And, rejection and ambivalence by a
primary caregiver, according to attachment theory, are
the most difficult emotional issues to overcome. Hence,
avoidance, denial, secret partners, secret lives.
Back to you. Momma Mona suggests that you
thoroughly explore your thoughts and feelings (e.g.
sad, angry, frightened, rejected, jealous, disappointed,
insecure, etc.) about this matter without assigning
right/wrong labels.
Ask yourself why you are
experiencing these emotions now. Is there something
else going on in your relationship that is contributing
to these emotions?
Hopefully, your relationship with your partner is
more open than his relationship with his birth family
and you two can talk about it and be supportive of
each other’s choices in this matter. If your partner
chooses to continue his façade with his birth family for
whatever his emotional reasons, then it is your choice
to continue to accept/support or not accept/support at
any point along your relationship life line.
If, on the other hand, this birth family arrangement
is causing your partner emotional distress, which in
turn is the cause of your emotional stress, then please
seek a professional counselor with expertise in the
specific areas of gay identity and attachment theory.
From the many stories Momma Mona has heard
in regards to this type of situation, the support and
comfort the partner provides is the catalyst to the other
partner working through his birth family issues and
the late 30s seem to be emotionally transitioning times
developmentally (to give you some hope).

Are we really ready
for Gay Marriage?
Part 2
“Will you Marry Me?”, Child what would you
do if your boyfriend ask you that? Are you
ready for all that? I mean..reealllly? I decided
to do Part 2 because this is a serious issue---not
just the fact that this county is ‘backwards’ for
not allowing us to get married in most of the
states, but my real concern is us being actually
ready to walk down that damn isle if they
DID green light those rights. Last column, I
focused on the foundation which is ‘dating’.
A lot of the kids don’t want to date anymore,
they just want to ‘hook up’, do that do, or get
done…now wait, ain’t nothing wrong with a
little bump and grind, but for those of us who
are ready for love and a relationship need to be
reminded what grown folks used to say to us
all the time, “Anything worth having is worth
working for”. Bottom line, you have to date.
Not only date, but date the right way. Marriage
can be a long journey, so just like a long road
trip, you want to have plenty of food, dranks,
gas..wait, gas?!...well, you get the damn point.
I gave you a few red flags to look for in the last
issue which focused more on watching out for
scrubs, bullshitters, and lame asses. This time
I want to give you a few tips on what YOU need
to do. It takes two boo.
Karma: Karma is just as real as YOU. Fooling
around with your friends’ boyfriend will
eventually catch up with you. Oh you might
think it’s cute at first because you’re getting
away with it, guess what---no you’re NOT
because Karma is far sneakier bitch than you.
It’ll get you just when you thought you ‘finally’
found that someone. Why did I start off with
‘karma’ you may wonder, because I’m all
about foundation. You have to do what’s right
and practice that BEFORE you even get into
a relationship or it’ll tear it apart. And you’ll
see that karma will always be apart of your
relationship. Check out the next tip.
STOP PLAYING GAMES! Oh it’s cute to say
“Oh really, since he didn’t answer the phone
or return my text today, I’m going to ignore
his ass for a week!” Um, you might want to a.
stop jumping to conclusions all the time and
find shit out first and b. stop trying to always
‘get even’. The danger of always trying to ‘get
even’ is it could go on and on ruining both of
you. Another example, “I think I’ll flirt with
this guy over there to make him jealous for
attention”, Ok, what are you going to do when
HE tries to ‘get even’ and start making out with

someone in front of YOU? This isn’t dating,
this is simply ‘playing games’ (not to mention
childish). And like that commercial says,
“When you play mind games, someone always
gets hurt “(insert scary music).
COMMUNICATION: This is one of my
favorites. Actually, I don’t care what relationship
you have with someone, communication is like
water to a plant. Both of you NEED it to survive.
“Oh, Leroy really pissed me off, I won’t even
be home when he gets off work”…Um, maybe
if you actually ‘talk’ to Leroy it’ll solve a lot of
issues. Don’t be afraid to talk about anything.
If you feel uncomfortable about certain topics
or situations, I believe that you might be with
the wrong one. Now if yall just met, that’s ok,
but after a few months AND if this is the one
you wanting to ‘marry’, then you better be able
to talk about any thang! “Tom, your breath
stank”. Hey, communication will make life
much easier, TRUST me! .
ALLOW SPACE: Don’t be afraid to let him
do his ‘thang’ every once in awhile. Child, no
one wants to feel like that can’t breathe! This
includes, you must be able to ‘trust’ him and
not get jealous every time he talks to someone.
I’ve learned that if he’s going to cheat, there’s
really nothing you can do about that. Just be
honest and do YOUR part, pray about it, and
don’t worry so much. And remember, YOU
need your space too! Don’t loose yourself in
this relationship. Meaning, don’t let anyone
stop you from being you!
Well that’s my time, before I go, I want to say
THANK YOU all for showing me love for my
birthday! In fact, that’ll be my next column,
until next time, don’t read the girls, read The
Brent Star Report!.
Where to catch Brent Star: Where to catch
Brent Star:
Mondays at Blakes, Tuesdays
at SHOUT, Saturdays at Tijuana Garage,
Thursdays and Saturdays once a month at
Burkharts and everywhere else that pays!

bartab
Monday

Felix’s

Mixx

Video Request NightIndustry Night 9pm

Friends on Ponce

Model T

Heretic

Tripps

Amsterdam

BJ Roosters

Male Bar Top Dancers
8pm-1am

Blake’s

Smirnoff Martini Night

Enchanted Evnings With Ken &
Donnie

Gay Film Festival
with Paul @ 9:30pm.

Drag on The Edge 11pm
with Alexandria Martin

LeBuzz

Burkharts

Mary’s

Karaoke Idol 10:30pm - Close

The Eagle

Bare Chest Night $3PBR

Felix’s

Free Pool! Industry Night

Friends on Ponce

Afternoons with Jasen 2pm

Frogs

$1 Tacos 6-9pm

Heretic

Brian May is pouring up stiff drinks &
great conversation.
10pm to 3 am

Once upon a time Luke went to a palm reader in
Gwinnett County.
The palm reader told him, “You must move to
Atlanta, Luke, for you will find love there.”
Luke went wandering around Midtown one
Saturday afternoon. Physical fitness was
important to Luke and he jogged into Piedmont
Park just as a cool breeze swept down from the
glistening glass high-rises and across the dried
green expanse towards Grady High on the other
side of Tenth and Monroe.
Piedmont Park was brisk with foot traffic on the
weekends. Luke had to dodge people walking
dogs, children and the elderly as he ran along
the paths and around the edge of Lake Clara
Meed, past old people fishing for crappie and
large mouth bass. Luke slowed his pace as he
came up ‘round the curve of the lake and, while
trying to catch his breath, he wiped his forehead
on his shirt and walked across the foot bridge.
In the Gazebo, there sat a solitary figure, a
young guy, a good looking young guy, dressed
in cut off shorts and wearing flip flips, sitting
there, hidden behind a pair of purple sunglasses
smoking… something.
Luke wandered into the Gazebo and sniffed at
the air, he said, “That sure doesn’t smell like a
Marlboro Red.”
“That’s because it’s m--------, you idiot.”
“Oh,” Luke wandered in, “mind if I take a hit?”
“Sit down,” he said, “try to be indiscreet.”
Luke leaned against a pillar, he asked, “Who’re
you? What’re you doing here?”
“They call me Danny,” he passed the joint to
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Luke. “What’s your name?”
“Luke,” he said, “Luke Covington.”
“Oh, Luke, like that book in the Bible?”
“Something like that, yeah.” Luke inhaled
and passed the joint back to Danny, “You from
around here?”
Danny smoked, “I just came in off the Interstate.”
“Where do you come from?”
“I come from everywhere, and nowhere.”
Luke felt dizzy in the head, he hadn’t smoked pot
in years. “That’s good stuff, you get it locally?”
“This is the Bible Belt. You can’t get anything
like that down here.”
Luke said, “Not according to what I hear.”
“I had it shipped in from out west.”
“I hear it’s legal out there.”
“If only.”
“You from out west?”
“I used to live in ‘Frisco, but then,” Danny toked
off the joint and passed what little was left to
Luke, “I went down to Mexico and accidentally
I poked a hole in a boat that belonged to a
gangster.”
Unlike former President Clinton, Luke actually
did inhale, “Are you a criminal or something?”
“Nah,” Danny shook his head, “I’m just a petty
thief.”
“What do you steal?”
“Virginities.” Danny laughed, “Sometimes I steal
money, one time I stole half a million dollars.”

y
n
n
a
D
r
w

r in G

eade
alm r

p
t to a

“Did you rob a bank?”
“Are you kidding?” Danny scoffed, “I robbed an
old woman.”
“An old woman?” Luke took one last drag and
held the funny cigarette out to Danny, “What
were you doing robbing an old woman?”
“It’s a long story.” Danny said, “After I poked
a whole in that’s guy boat, I ran off, I fled the
country and I went to the Middle East.”
“Did you go to Abu Dhabi?”
“Dubai, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, India,
Thailand, Indonesia, Nicaragua and Brussels.”
Danny tossed the joint into the lake, “I went to
all those places.”
“Some of those places aren’t in the Middle East,
though.”
“So what? What the hell do I look like, a
professor of spelling?”
“Why did you rob an old woman?”
“Not just any old woman,” Danny lit a Newport
light, “a Holocaust survivor.”
“You robbed a Holocaust survivor?”
“Well, not me, my friend robbed her. I just took
the money afterward.”
“What happened to your friend?”
“Who, him?” Danny laughed, “The old bag shot
him in the foot.”
“Who?” Luke asked, “The old woman shot your
friend in the foot?”
“Yep.”
“And then you took the money he got off the old

lady?”
“Well first we went to the beach and then I took
the money.” Danny exhaled a smoke ring, “I
went to Egypt after that.”
“What happened to your friend?”
“I just left him sitting there.” Danny laughed
again, “Sittin’ on a beach.”
Luke felt not only dizzy but paranoid all of the
sudden, “Are you for real? Is there, like, a candid
camera hidden around here somewhere?”
“Dude,” Danny flicked some ash into the body
of water surrounding the Gazebo, “I’m as real
as rain.”
Right then and there it started to rain in
Piedmont Park.
“And you stole money off a Holocaust survivor?”
“I needed the money.”
Luke shook his head, “You’re a horrible person.
I don’t want anything to do with you.”
“You’re cute,” Danny smiled, “You want to have
dinner sometime?.”
“Are you nuts?” Luke said, “I’d rather walk
through a hail storm than talk to someone
who freely admits he’s a petty thief and that he
robbed some old people.”
“If Bernie Madoff can do it,” asked Danny, “why
can’t I?”
And Luke ran off into the rain…
NEXT EPISODE: “E is for Enigma”
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Red Chair - 2001

Woofs Grand Opening - 2002

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Blu - 2002

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Protect Your Monster

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by Richard Marshall

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bitch session
Why does a certain club
charge so much even at
2:30 a.m.?

Will Atlanta please turn on the AC?
Seriously, you’re a moron. Period.
Just because I am a drag queen doesn’t make
me a tranny. I am probably more man than
you will ever be. Why hasn’t someone opened
up a real show bar in Atlanta? Don’t let show
bars die along with Backstreet.

You stare at me at the
bookstore but don’t say
anything. It’s a bookstore
not a library, speak up!
Dear Bitch Session, while your page
allows for a great place to vent, its title is
stereotypical. At least put a cute bitch on it
(dog).
Can I staple your ass shut? Only if I can staple
your mouth shut. Deal, you use your ass
more than I use my mouth!
I have had enough of these uncut penises!!!
What am I gonna do with all that extra skin?
It’d make a cute throw rug I guess.
Why is it that no one ever comes through for
you right when you need them to?! Ugh!!

(2004) I don’t know whether to laugh or cry
when I see ads on sex sites from guys seeking
only HIV-negative partners. Do they honestly
think that is going to keep someone who is
(knowingly or unknowingly) HIV-positive
from answering their ad, and allow them to
have unprotected, risk-free sex?
(2008) Why can’t men wear tight pants like
they did in the ‘70s?
(2006) If you’re only into “straight acting”
guys, you should remember that acting is
being something you’re not. Take it up with
your therapist or direct your anger where
it belongs: toward your mother. I’ll take a
confident “sissy” over a fake fag any day!
(2004) Yes, the person with HIV/AIDS is
terminally ill. But the last time I checked,
death was certain for all of us.
(2008) Why do you need marriage? Financial
benefits? Wanna be like your breeder
counterparts? Gay marriage will never be
legal because there is no need to be married
to screw everyone in sight. Spare me the
drama, queens!
(2004) Please boys, if you’re going to strip in
the bars (or dance under that theme) at least
get rid of the baby fat and go to a gym once
in a while. It’ll take more than a cute face to
earn my dollar.

I’m so sick of being called (2008) Granted, the drugs
“lipstick” because I look
Paula Abdul takes make
LIKE A GIRL and not
her
incapable of speaking
like a rejected version of
a Hollister model circa
intelligently, but how is that
2007.
any different from you?
(2006) Why can’t straight men shop for their
own underwear? I’m tired of browsing the
racks with ugly, middle-aged women?

(2007) I’m tired of being honest. All I want
is a halfway decent guy to have sex with
tonight.

(2007) If you don’t want to tip at all, then you
get what you pay for. Cook the food, bring
the food to the table, and then clean up after
you’re done. In other words, eat at home!

(2006) Twinks are no fun in bed. It’s like
humping a cardboard cutout. Give me a big
furry bear any day of the week. Woof!